Write My Answer On A Billboard Large And Clear

Jan 2, 2013

3 years to the day almost...a blogger comment finds its way to my
inbox. Ive only been blogging for a little over 3 years. In the beginning... I subscribed to comments....to see what others
said...and to read replies and to build online relationships. I didn't know then, that most bloggers
don't reply to their readers comments. For me... it wasn't just about writing...it was about building relationships.

4 years ago...found me isolated and insulated from the world....as dad's 24/7 caregiver. I cared for him for 2 1/2 years. After the first year, a 'resistive' stroke left him paralyzed on one side. Before the stroke...he was in a car accident that left him brain damaged and unable to walk. He relearned how to dress himself and to walk. He walked with a walker...but he walked.

The resistive stroke compounded the brain damage and his mind couldn't allow him to relate to his own body. He could barely stand for transfers. His right leg was already weak from the accident. And it was as if his whole left side was amputated. Even when after much struggle... he would manage to ever so slightly move a finger on his paralyzed hand... he would see it move...and yet say..."but that's not my hand!" You can read about his first days back from 3 weeks of rehab ... here.

His mind was in a stupor! It lied to him... the truth was....he could move his hand...even arm....but his mind didn't believe it! Thus.... he remains an invalid to this day.

Finding myself 'homebound' ....and in my own state of 'stupor'...I turned to blogging. Blogging brought faces and relationship into my isolated world. I am most grateful for all who have passed this way... in these past 3 years. Many have become precious friends. For this reason....though I do not blog faithfully now...I will maintain this place as a connecting bridge for all who need an encouraging word....and to remember....the Lord's faithful right arm... to those that love Him.

Though I'm no longer dad's personal caregiver...I am still very isolated and insulated from the world. Caring for dad has changed me in ways I can't even begin to share with most of you. It was a very personal journey. I am not the same person that I knew me to be...

Sometimes... I feel like a 'little girl lost'. I cant seem to find me. At times, I wish I could sit in the presence of good friends and simply ask... "Who do you say that I am?" ..."I don't think I know me anymore, do you know me?"

But they know me ...only as who I used to be, before leaving my job and home...to move 1200 miles away for 3 years. They base who I am ... solely on who I was. They keep expecting me to emerge....to fly again...

but I am not that person!

I am different!

In fact, I don't seek to be that person anymore...even though I'm uncomfortable being 'different'.

Have you found yourself so changed by a circumstance or season, that you question who you are? Why you're here? Will you ever reemerge in confidence and strength...with a solid purpose?

Sometimes... even in our able bodies...our minds lie to us...

New Year's eve 'morning' found me in a stupor ....

Merriam-Webster's Definition of STUPOR

1 : a condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or sensibility stupor 2 : a state of extreme apathy or torpor resulting often from stress or shock : daze

Medical Definition of STUPOR

: a condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or sensibility stupor; specifically:
a chiefly mental condition marked by absence of spontaneous movement,
greatly diminished responsiveness to stimulation, and usually impaired
consciousness

Yes, I was in a STUPOR...

I was depressed ...

.....facing the ominous future. No job on the horizon...still .. a year later
after caring for dad full time. No job in a world of
unemployment....

I was and am deeply grieved....

For 'we the people'...one nation under God... a people that has forgotten God.... Turned our backs on God.... Ripped God right out of
the very fabric of this nation. The gaping hole....threatens our
freedom...our lives...our families...our homes....our children and
grandchildren's future.

I don't own a TV. I choose to live in peace ...to allow my mind to
hear my own thoughts and to discern the Lord's contemplative dialog with
me. But...I have found alternative voices for mainstream
media.....online. Life as we know it....is about to change. Are you prepared for change? Do you know yourself well enough to weather the change?

The one definable difference ...in me ...from 3 years ago, is my deeply personal ...relationship with my Savior... Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit...the comforter. He always...faithfully knows exactly how to bring me out of my stupor!

This is how He came to me on the last day of 2012.... through an unknown blogger's comment ...that landed in my inbox.... as a Holy Spirit initiated invitation to revisit the corresponding post... that my spirit might be refreshed. He KNEW...I would!

On 01/10/10....... On Kerri's photo blog...."a little bit of me"....
In response to her posting of a beautiful goldfinch ...with a quote from Harold B.
Melchart....

"Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional
glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful
scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point. Climb slowly,
steadily, enjoying each passing moment; and the view from the summit
will serve as a fitting climax for the journey." ~Harold B. Melchart

I wrote in the comment section.....

"....If we stumble and tumble to the meadow below, the views are spectacular even then. Whether looking up at the summit or across the
grassy meadow, keep the goal in sight and you'll never lose your way.

Circumstance has a way of forcing us to see the path with a different
set of eyes, different perspectives from different vantage points. But we
should not allow circumstance to rob us of the joy that the journey bestows...."

~ Patrina <')>><
January 10, 2010 7:37 PM

This was a 'timely' reminder. A dose of my own medicine. It found its
way to me on the wings of a dove...the Holy Spirit! It was the first
thing I read new Years eve morning ...before getting out of bed. It lighted
on me and awakened me from my stupor...because an unknown blogger from Lake Macquarie, NSW Australia...found
Kerri's post of 3 years ago...that I had subscribed to...and added a
comment.

And so.. today, I am very aware of these 'different' set of eyes...that he's given me. I am aware that I see things differently because of the paths that He has placed me on. I view life from these different seasons and circumstances. I'm aware of these different perspectives...because I had not yet entered such a life transforming season as the past 3 years. I am aware that this past season has changed me. I'm aware that the Holy Spirit will not waste a day...of this past season....but will use it to propel me into His future plan for me.

Today, He reminds me of my own words... words written when I was not in a stupor... but full of hope....like on an altar... He lays them out for me ... to remember.

Don't ever think that the 'words' that you write... the feelings that you describe... the experiences that you share right here in blog-villa ....are nothing but words... they have the power to travel the world ...ministering hope and encouragement... and yet land right smack dab in the middle of your island....and minister life to you!

Today, I celebrate the ending of 2012 and look faithfully towards 2013...with all of you. Knowing that you are still just a click away...gives me strength and HOPE to keep on keeping on.

Thank you for befriending me...thank you for listening to me...thank you for returning again and again... to my island....and sharing your lives with me.

Peace be unto you....may it settle in your hearts and flow outward to
those around you....May you know the sweet fragrance of Christ that abides within.

blessings for the new year!

Thank you to my newest blogger....Carol M for being used by God to awaken me ...to remind me...to assure me....to challenge me... With my own words.

E-SWORD ~ the Sword of the LORD with an electronic edge

How Google uses data when you use its partners' sites or apps

Better to love God and die unknown ​ ​ ​...​ than to love the world and be a hero

Better to love God ... and die unknown than to love the world ... and be a hero; better to be content with poverty ... than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken some risks and lost ... than to have done nothing and succeeded at it. ​ ~ ​ Dr. E. Lutzer

pray for each other that we may walk in our healing ~ Jm 5:16

A Differnt Kind of Woman

Patrina ~ His Warrior Bride in Boots

Radically changed by GRACEWalking out my FAITHone step at a time....

Forever ForgivenForever His Pride and JOYForever in His GRACE

I AM HIS HE IS MINEMY BELOVEDHIS WARRIOR BRIDE

~ WELCOME ~

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. ~ The Lord Jesus lives and breathes in my being. May you be encouraged by my pencil, as I share the MORE of Him...that He has become to me. ~ My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. ~ I appreciate your visit. Come on in, the door is always open...we've left the LIGHT on for you....God bless you each and everyone.

MY PHOTO SPACE

I Am Deeply Grieved For Our America....

God's words to King Solomon ~ "..if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chron. 7:14

MAKE A RUN FOR GOD ~ YOU WON'T REGRET IT !

By the GRACE of GOD, we are HIS Olympians....

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.…

Hebrews 12:1-2

Overcome SELF....

When self has gone, then those who see you ...will not see the self in you; only the ambassador of your King.

You have here...in this seemingly narrow life of yours...countless opportunities of overcoming self. Let this be your great task.

When You're Possesed With Purpose....

Oftentimes, I wake up to pray. But there was a season when I woke myself up praying. And there is a difference. When you're possessed with purpose, He trusts you with decisions you make in your sleep. And you find yourself doing things...even while you sleep that contribute to your destiny.

SOMETIMES....

There are moments in our lives when we summon the courage to make choices that go against reason, against common sense and the wise counsel of people we trust. But we lean forward nonetheless because, despite all risks and rational argument, we believethat the path we are choosing is the right and best thing to do. We refuse to be bystanders, even if we do not know exactly where our actions will lead. ~ Howard Schultz

Revival's Got to Start With Me...

LIVE UNAFRAID !

All I insist on, and nothing else, is that you should show the whole world that you are not afraid. Be silent, if you choose; but when it is necessary, speak — and speak in such a way that people will remember it.

~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips .

Psalm 141: 3

Only Go With Me...

Send me anywhere, lord;Only go with me.Lay any burden on me;Only sustain me.And sever every tie,But the tie that binds meTo thy Service and Thy Heart.~ David Livingstone

The Alternative to Forgiveness from the heart is ongoing torment of the soul......

When the feeling of hurt arises....the spirit of offense comes on the scene to fortify the pain....tempting you to hold on to the grudge in your heart.

Therefore, the proper response to emotional pain of the soul is ALWAYS an immediate confession of forgiveness from the heart.

The alternative to forgiveness from the heart is ongoing torment of the soul. So if you want to be free from your hurts and wounds, take thots of forgiveness... meditate on them and confess them rather than taking the thots of hurt... meditating on them and confessing them.

This is God's way and the only way that brings true healing.

And...while your at it, pray for those who have hurt you. This process will cleanse your heart and renew your mind - and you will walk FREE from your past.

The Light of Christ Dispels the Darkness

What fools the nations are to rage against the Lord! How strange that men should try to outwit God! 2 For a summit conference of the nations has been called to plot against the Lord and his Messiah, Christ the King. 3 “Come, let us break his chains,” they say, “and free ourselves from all this slavery to God.” 4 But God in heaven merely laughs! He is amused by all their puny plans. 5 And then in fierce fury he rebukes them and fills them with fear. 6 For the Lord declares, “This is the King of my choice, and I have enthroned him in Jerusalem, my holy city.”* 7 His chosen one replies, “I will reveal the everlasting purposes of God, for the Lord has said to me, ‘You are my Son. This is your Coronation Day. Today I am giving you your glory.’” 8 “Only ask and I will give you all the nations of the world. 9 Rule them with an iron rod; smash them like clay pots!” 10 O kings and rulers of the earth, listen while there is time. 11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear; rejoice with trembling. 12 Fall down before his Son and kiss his feet before his anger is roused and you perish. I am warning you—his wrath will soon begin. But oh, the joys of those who put their trust in him! Psalm 2 (TLB)

KK

JESUS ~ The Light of the World

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."~ John 8:12

lmm

iworship

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Satan dreds nothing but prayer

The one concern of the devil is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayer-less studies, prayer-less work, and prayer-less religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.~ Samuel Chadwick

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~ I pray that you were blessed by visiting ~

~ THANK YOU ~

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# 1 song 4 my 'Homegoing' ~ a Celebration of PRAISE to My One and Only KING!